NDSP (finally) announces plugin support for the Quad Cortex

[yeky83]

I'm more concerned about the fact that it now runs directly counter to their own interests to create any new QC content.

“Now.” This has always been the case with the QC.

 

[mbenigni]

Of course they’ve never been able to implement this shit so it hasn’t mattered, but @mbenigni now sees the potential problem ahead. (This was a big topic three years ago at the other place, insert Groundhog Day meme)

@mbenigni literally didn't give a shit three years ago but I was saying the same thing about plugin compatibility from the day I bought a QC. It's simply not a rational thing for a QC owner to wish for. I get that it's a bitter pill to swallow if you've already bought plugins, but when people are dropping $1800 for a piece of hardware, established precedent says they get content as part of the deal. And even the customers who'd already invested in plugins could have gotten functionally equivalent (or better) content sooner, if NDSP weren't faffing around "porting" and working out licensing and paywall mechanics.

 

[mbenigni]

That might have been the end goal all along.

I'm sure it was. And (collectively, meaning: not me) we cheered them along! It's ironic: on this particular point, we only got miffed when they failed to establish this conflict of interest fast enough.

I suppose I was hoping NDSP would strike a balance of releasing QC-native content alongside paid plugins, but the pace of the former has been so near to zero-per-unit-time... now that plugin support is the buzz again, I'd say the writing is on the wall. Honestly, I suspect NDSP dragged their feet on this feature because, closer to the QC's release, it (i.e. $1800 QC as plugin player) would have been too conspicuous.

 

[mbenigni]

Exactly. I can't believe it's still just another announcement about an upcoming announcement. Yet I can believe it, at the same time, as it's just how they roll.

Meanwhile, Fender leaks the Tone Master Pro and it hits shelves a week later.

 

[Whizzinby]

P.S. Another interesting angle here: I'd (educated) guess that porting a plugin suite is a lot more work than preparing and releasing a QC native amp model. But NDSP is now claiming they'll port new plugins "every few months" - which is what they originally claimed for QC amp models (after explaining how easy their neural tech was going to make that process.) None of this bodes well IMO.

For sure there is more to it, I just stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

But, if I was forced to bet any amount of money that mattered, I would bet that they have had to remodel some % of the plug-in content as part of this cross platform effort. It wasn’t until the Gojira plug that they said they were modeling via the same processes for QC and Plugs.

If that is the case (some % of remodeling of plugs) it could partially explaining the slow trickle of actual QC content.

 

[mbenigni]

So if I understand this correctly
NDSP is giving all there owners a free Plini X plug in that is compatible with their QC

I think this is pretty ambiguous, actually. It doesn't clearly indicate whether they're talking about QC users or Plini plugin users getting the updated Plini X plugin:

In a few weeks, we will release Archetype: Plini X. This free update for existing users comprises many new features and changes.

 

[mikah912]

As a small matter of consolation for y'all concerned that they'll stop offering free additional content, I'd refer back to the original Spring 2020 virtual device list and hold their feet to the fire over it. They owe y'all free models of a Cornford Hellcat, Mesa/Boogie Triaxis, Bogner Ecstasy, ADA MP1, ENGL e530 and Orange Rockerverb.

The one area that they indisputably screwed you over on is the Mark IIC+, which went from "We promise to add it once we get the performance issues sorted...pinky swear!" to "Yeah, that'll be $100 please".

But beyond that, there's another 10-11 "launch" reverbs, delays, etc. that they owe users.

Will they ever fully fulfill those obligations? Consult the magic 8-ball, I guess?

 

[Whizzinby]

As a small matter of consolation for y'all concerned that they'll stop offering free additional content, I'd refer back to the original Spring 2020 virtual device list and hold their feet to the fire over it. They owe y'all free models of a Cornford Hellcat, Mesa/Boogie Triaxis, Bogner Ecstasy, ADA MP1, ENGL e530 and Orange Rockerverb.

The one area that they indisputably screwed you over on is the Mark IIC+, which went from "We promise to add it once we get the performance issues sorted...pinky swear!" to "Yeah, that'll be $100 please".

But beyond that, there's another 10-11 "launch" reverbs, delays, etc. that they owe users.

Will they ever fully fulfill those obligations? Consult the magic 8-ball, I guess?

The virtual device list from 2020 had a lot of hope and optimism in it, and reads very much like my kids Santa wish list:

Airplane
Pony
Corvette
Etc.

 

[mikah912]

The virtual device list from 2020 had a lot of hope and optimism in it, much like my kids Santa wish list:

Airplane
Pony
Corvette
Etc.

They just need to borrow the amps back from that Matias Kupiainen guy. They already took a ton of captures of each. There's not THAT much difference between the modeling and capture process in-house.

The more esoteric reverbs and delays? Clearly made-up nonsense that looked cool on a list, so I'm betting we see them on the 12th of Neveruary.

 

[mbenigni]

For sure there is more to it, I just stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

But, if I was forced to bet any amount of money that mattered, I would bet that they have had to remodel some % of the plug-in content as part of this cross platform effort. It wasn’t until the Gojira plug that they said they were modeling via the same processes for QC and Plugs.

If that is the case (some % of remodeling of plugs) it could partially explaining the slow trickle of actual QC content.

I don't know. This line of defense (or maybe "explanation" is the better word?) is kind of circular to me. "It's taken NDSP a long time to create QC-specific content because they first had to re-architect and optimize all of their plugin content so that everything could be cross-platform" is just a massive "Doc, it hurts when I do this." The QC architecture has its own strengths that could have/ should have been leveraged - among them, according to NDSP: the ability to create new models quickly.

 

[mbenigni]

I'd refer back to the original Spring 2020 virtual device list and hold their feet to the fire over it. They owe y'all free models of a Cornford Hellcat, Mesa/Boogie Triaxis, Bogner Ecstasy, ADA MP1, ENGL e530 and Orange Rockerverb.

This and $4 might get me a cup of coffee.

 

[mbenigni]

The more esoteric reverbs and delays? Clearly made-up nonsense that looked cool on a list, so I'm betting we see them on the 12th of Neveruary.

And unfortunately the QC is in desperate need of a spring reverb that sounds like a spring reverb.

(I assume there's a nice spring reverb in one of the $100 plugin bundles I otherwise don't want but will have the privilege of paying for... soon.)

 

[Whizzinby]

I don't know. This line of defense (or maybe "explanation" is the better word?) is kind of circular to me. "It's taken NDSP a long time to create QC-specific content because they first had to re-architect and optimize all of their plugin content so that everything could be cross-platform" is just a massive "Doc, it hurts when I do this."

It’s kinda simple. (Farley) They can only produce so many models given their available resources and processes. If those resources/processes are being consumed modeling for other things (remodeling old plugs, modeling for new plugs) then it slows down the models they can produce solely for the QC.

- among them, according to NDSP: the ability to create new models quickly.

We both know Neural is full of shit.

 

[mbenigni]

We both know Neural is full of shit.

Yep. Why oh I why must I dig my QC so much?

 

[Lysander]

Yep. But this explanation speaks primarily to the fact that their plates are too full. I'm more concerned about the fact that it now runs directly counter to their own interests to create any new QC content. It will always suit them better to develop and sell plugins, and then port them for any QC owners who want to pony up.

Been saying this forever: the business models for NDSP's QC and plugin line are diametrally opposed from each other. It's inevitable that one of those customer bases will feel screwed over down the line.

 

[mikah912]

Been saying this forever: the business models for NDSP's QC and plugin line are diametrally opposed from each other. It's inevitable that one of those customer bases will feel screwed over down the line.

Well, they're also screwing over third-party content creators with the lack of a marketplace, so give 'em props for being able to inconvenience so many groups simultaneously.

 

[Mongillo19]

Well, they're also screwing over third-party content creators with the lack of a marketplace, so give 'em props for being able to inconvenience so many groups simultaneously.

Well the marketplace is a divided topic imo. Look at Tone X. I feel like many trashed them for it.

 

[mikah912]

Well the marketplace is a divided topic imo. Look at Tone X. I feel like many trashed them for it.

I'm completely out of the loop there. What's the complaint on the Tonex marketplace?

 

[Whizzinby]

Yep. Why oh I why must I dig my QC so much?

The struggle is real.

“I despise these jerks with every fibre of my being.”

“Does anybody have any sweet presets to try?”

 

[Mongillo19]

I'm completely out of the loop there. What's the complaint on the Tonex marketplace?

Idk, people were upset that they put in a paid feature when they have ToneNet for free. They also advertised it as a huge update (which it was substantial) but many were hoping for quality of life updates but instead got a marketplace.